Strategic Compensation & Benefits Specialist

publichealthontario; Toronto; On-site; CAD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Public Health Ontario is seeking a Compensation and Benefits Specialist to provide expert analysis, advice, and operational support for compensation and benefits programs in the HR Operational Services department. Responsibilities include administering salary structures, job evaluation, pay equity, benefits program oversight, market research, and data-driven decision support.

The role partners with HR leaders, managers, and employees to ensure competitive, compliant programs, leveraging

Responsibilities

• Lead the annual compensation cycle, including merit increases, validation or approved of wage adjustments, and related implementation activities.
• Administer salary structures and compensation programs in accordance with legislation, collective agreements, policies and approved practices.
• Establishes and leverages relationships with external compensation partners, industry peers, and professional networks to obtain market insights, identify emerging trends, and support evidence-based compensation program design and decision-making.
• Lead job evaluation for new and revised positions using the applicable methodology; document recommendations and support internal consistency and a defensible pay structure.
• Maintain and support PHO's pay equity program and related compliance requirements.
• Provide data-driven advice on compensation matters and support the analysis and resolution of complex issues, including matters that may contribute to grievances.
• Administer and support benefit program activities, including annual enrolment, plan changes, monthly remittances, escalated eligibility or coverage issues and employee appeals within the role's scope.
• Monitor benefit plan performance, cost, utilization, service quality and emerging market practices; identify risks and opportunities for improvement.
• Monitor vendor performance against established service expectations and metrics and work with vendors and internal partners to resolve issues.
• Support vendor reviews, procurement activities and implementation of approved benefit program changes.
• Respond to or coordinate pension-related inquiries with the appropriate plan administrator and direct employees to the correct source for pension transactions, estimates or retirement advice.
• Assess, interpret and provide guidance on compensation and benefits provisions in legislation, collective agreements, policies, procedures and plan documents.
• Partner with HR Business Partners, HR leadership, managers and employees to provide clear, consistent and practical advice within the position's area of responsibility.
• Assess the impact of new legislation, collective agreements and approved program changes; develop and coordinate implementation plans to meet organizational obligations.
• Recommend and implement improvements to compensation and benefits policies, programs, processes, templates and guidance tools to improve service and reduce organizational risk.
• Maintain current knowledge of relevant legislation, regulations and industry practices.
• Develop and prepare compensation and benefits reports, corporate statistics, costing and detailed analysis and scenario planning to support decision-making.
• Use the HRIS and other tools to monitor data, validate approved position and employee information, investigate anomalies and support accurate reporting.
• Partner with the HR Systems Advisor on system testing, implementation, maintenance, reporting and data integrity relating to compensation and benefits.
• Liaise with Payroll on compensation and benefits matters to support accurate and timely pay and deductions.
• Identify opportunities to improve or automate work through data, technology and streamlined processes.
• Coordinate or lead special assigned HR projects and initiatives within the role's scope, ensuring deliverables and timelines are met.
• Develop clear communications, briefing notes, reports, tools and guidance materials for compensation and benefits programs and changes.
• Deliver information sessions and explain complex requirements in language appropriate for employees, managers, senior leaders and HR colleagues.
• Maintain effective working relationships with internal partners, benefit carriers, consultants, pension plan administrators, vendors and industry contacts.
• Escalate material risks, exceptions and complex issues to the Manager, People Experience or other decision-makers, with analysis and recommended options.

Job description

Public Health Ontario is seeking a Compensation and Benefits Specialist to provide expert analysis, advice, and operational support for compensation and benefits programs in the HR Operational Services department. Responsibilities include administering salary structures, job evaluation, pay equity, benefits program oversight, market research, and data-driven decision support.

The role partners with HR leaders, managers, and employees to ensure competitive, compliant programs, leveraging